Civil Society Organization (CSO) under the banner Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has challenged President Lazarus Chakwera and his cabinet to reduce their salaries by 50 percent.

Addressing the media in Lilongwe this morning, CDEDIO Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said this will be party of austerity measures Chakwera put in place last month.

Adding to that, Namiwa has also asked President Chakwera to trim the number of his advisors. Namiwa has again challenged Chakwera to be delegating other responsible people to attend other government or private functions.

“President Chakwera should also learn to delegate others to go and cut ribbons while he stays in the office figuring out how his government can protect the vulnerable and marginalized Malawians using resources accrued from the announced cost-cutting measures,” said Namiwa.

Namiwa was also worried with President Chakwera’s appetite for travel, according to Namiwa, despite effecting austerity measures that include limiting both local and international trips, Chakwera is seen on the road daily.